/images/2018/01/23/navina-side-hustle-mid_MPfEDfV.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
:format(webp)/images/2025/03/02/homepage_aarp_website.jpg)
/authors/kristin-hitchcock-headshot.jpg)
/authors/calista-headrick-headshot.jpg)
You may already know the basic AARP membership perks: travel discounts, insurance offers, and that glossy magazine landing in your mailbox each month. But what if there were lesser-talked-about benefits that could combine to save you hundreds of dollars a year? From everyday shopping to health care and home essentials, these lesser-known perks are designed to help members stretch their retirement dollars further.
Here's a look at some overlooked senior benefits from AARP that could make smart money moves for seniors.
Get instant access to hundreds of discounts
Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks like discounts on travel, dining, and even prescriptions.
Get 25% off membership — just $15 for your first year with auto-renewal — and a free gift if you join today.
Discount Walmart+ membership
Many seniors discount the everyday shopping savings offered via AARP, but this one stands out. Through AARP, you can get $40 off an annual Walmart+ membership, which itself includes free same-day delivery on eligible items, free shipping, and gas savings.
If you were already considering Walmart+ for groceries, prescriptions, or home goods, this discount might reduce your baseline expenses by several hundred dollars over a year. Combine that with smart use of delivery and bulk purchases, and the savings accumulate.
Travel and renal car savings
For many AARP members, the travel discounts everyone talks about are the hotel and cruise deals. What often goes unnoticed are the savings on everyday travel logistics. Through the AARP Travel Center, eligible members can get up to 30-35% off base car rental rates with such companies as Avis and Budget.
If you're planning one or two trips per year (or use rental cars more often), those savings could easily add up, especially when you factor in insurance waivers or added driver benefits that often accompany these deals.
Prescription discount card and hearing/vision savings
Medical costs weigh heavily on retirees, and this is an area where many don't leverage everything available. AARP members get access to the AARP Prescription Discounts card (for drugs not covered by your current insurance) and exclusive savings on hearing aids and vision care.
One example: a free hearing test via an affiliated program and substantial discounts on hearing-aid purchases. Over time, avoiding higher premium insurance plans and managing out-of‐pocket health costs can yield savings in the hundreds or even thousands.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 45% before fees, or 20% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>
Sign up for a free debt assessment here.
Free second membership and household add-on
Many members don't realize that AARP allows adding a second person in your household at no additional cost. If you and a partner both make use of the member benefits (travel, shopping, prescriptions), you effectively double your value for the same membership fee, which maximizes your senior benefits without doubling the cost.
Browser extension rewards and everyday shopping perks
A subtle but interesting benefit: the AARP Perks Browser Extension. Install this browser tool and you'll get reminder alerts about member offers, plus you can earn up to 750 AARP Rewards points when using it.
While the immediate savings from this tool might seem small, the cumulative benefit of being alerted to deals and redeeming rewards adds up. For those who regularly shop online, this is an easy way to save that many ignore.
Entertainment and subscription discounts
Yes, it's fun to go to the theater or subscribe to services, but many don't realize the member savings available here. AARP offers discounts like up to 25% off movie tickets, 30% off a one-year Ancestry subscription, or 10% off streaming services like Paramount+.
If you're already paying for multiple subscriptions or attending shows, those discounts might shave off hundreds of dollars over time by switching to member rates.
Financial and career resources
AARP's services in work and finance provide job-search tools, financial planning publications, and support for income strategies in retirement. While these don't always show up as an instant "discount," avoiding a costly financial mistake, boosting your income by a few thousand, or protecting assets from fraud can easily result in savings far exceeding most "discount" offers.
Major appliance discounts for your home
If you're planning to replace large home appliances or are already budgeting for that inevitability, one of AARP's less celebrated benefits might help. AARP members now get 10% or more off on major appliance purchases through the GE Appliances Store, including in-home delivery, installation, and haul-away of your old unit.
If you were already going to buy a new washer/dryer, refrigerator, or range, that 10%+ reduction plus installation services could easily save you hundreds in one go.
Bottom line
AARP membership isn't just about hotel deals and a glossy magazine. It's packed with lesser-known perks that can quietly trim hundreds from your yearly expenses. From discounted groceries and car rentals to appliance deals and vision savings, these benefits can make the difference between overspending and keeping more in your pocket.
One more often-missed advantage? AARP Rewards points can be redeemed for cash-value gift cards or charitable donations, turning your everyday activities into even more savings opportunities. By exploring these overlooked senior benefits, you could avoid wasting your retirement savings and make smarter, more strategic financial moves every year.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
- Find out if you're overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks.
- Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
- 14 benefits seniors are entitled to but often forget to claim
/images/2021/04/21/adobestock_192812280_1200x628.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
/images/2025/01/28/adobestock_628402894_1.jpeg)
/images/2024/09/04/adobestock_669069249_editorial_use_only_1.jpeg)
/images/2020/03/02/tattoo-woman-bar.jpeg)
/images/2020/12/21/smiling-couple-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpeg)
Benefits Card Details Intro Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
/images/2025/01/23/discover_it_cash_back_card_art_gold.png)
/images/2025/02/04/person_using_card_in_atm.jpg)
/images/2020/06/29/pensive-woman-looking-at-laptop-screen.jpeg)
/images/2023/04/14/fit_woman_having_fun_with_adorable_mongrel_dogs.jpg)
/images/2025/11/10/wads-of-cash.jpg)
/images/2024/09/10/close-up-sketch-warren_buffett-1199x628.jpg)
/images/2025/11/03/grocery-shopping-produce-at-the-register.jpg)
/images/2025/11/03/gen-x-woman-with-american-flag.jpg)
/images/2025/10/28/snap-benefits-store-signage.jpg)
/images/2024/05/06/elderly-us-marine-corps-veterans.jpg)
/images/2025/10/22/vintage-barbies.jpg)
